[Dust]

Frostfall's body trembled on the spot as Lionstar denied his exit. Why couldn't he just let him drift? Let the last struggling threads of their relationship snap. Why did he have to bear the weight of failure when he had been trying his best? It wasn't his fault... it wasn't. It was hard to convince himself that though.. and as he took a hesitant step forward, his icy gaze locked onto the golden feline.

"I was eager- I AM eager!" He hissed in disbelief, his face warming with emotion. "I can only do so much with every step I take being resisted! Its not about tom'ing up, I just..." He stopped abruptly, anger... grief... everything was getting the better of him. "I've already said it, nothing has been the same since I took the position as SkyClan's deputy. I signed away everyone's trust for a dying clan. For somewhere I didn't even belong or feel wanted and for what? Power? I wanted to feel like I was something more. Not just a pawn set to suffer, pretending to be nice to everyone all the time because I can't swallow my own past." An angry sob shook his body, but he remained determined, swallowing back the pain rising in his throat. "Bearpaw is no different than the rest, I wasn't eager to send that poor untrained apprentice into ShadowClan territory, but with him there imagine the things we could know! The things we could prevent! The range? The patrol came back behind schedule... the tunnels? Firehawk's hesitation had everyone worried! Do I need to be more stern? Do I need to start raising my voice to get my point across?! Holding the paw of every patrol that is sent out? I had no help - Especially not from you! I'm still trying to figure this out just like you did, just please..." Frostfall blinked away the tears, the anger dying down into a more solemn tone, "I want you to be proud of me. The way you looked at Eagleflight when I walked in... the excitement we shared speaking of the tunnels... I want you to trust me again. I hate this. I hate that we aren't friends. I hate that I've messed up everything trying to fix it.." The moment was short-lived as his gaze burned once more with a dangerous fury, the thoughts swirling viciously in his head.

"But, you want me to tom up? Done. I understand. Let me show you what I can do." It was a sincere threat.

@BILL.